Weston Observatory (Manchester, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Weston Observatory
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1906 postcard view
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oak Hill, Derryfield Park, Manchester, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.7 acres (0.28 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Built by | Head & Dowst |
| Architect | Davis & Raynes |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000128 |
| Added to NRHP | May 28, 1975 |
The Weston Observatory is a cool old tower located on Oak Hill. This hill is the highest point in Derryfield Park in Manchester, New Hampshire. It was built in 1897 and is made of strong granite. The tower is a well-known sight in the area. It was a gift to the city from James A. Weston, who grew up in Manchester. He was also the governor of New Hampshire two times! In 1975, the tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
What Does the Observatory Look Like?
The Weston Observatory stands right in the middle of Derryfield Park. It's at the very top of Oak Hill. From here, you can get amazing views of the city to the west.
The tower is shaped like an octagon, which means it has eight sides. It stands about 66 feet (20 m) tall. The bottom part is made of several large, cut granite stones. The main entrance is on the west side. Above the door, you can see Weston's name carved into the stone.
There's a thick stone ledge, called a cornice, that goes all the way around the tower at the top of its first section. Most of the tower is made of rough, natural-looking stones. These stones are laid in a random pattern and the tower gets a little narrower as it goes up.
The very top part of the tower is an open area. It has a small, eight-sided dome, called a cupola, supported by thin metal poles. Inside the tower, there are narrow windows that let in light. You can also find a circular iron staircase inside.
History of the Weston Observatory
The city built this tower in 1897. The money for it came from James Weston, who left funds for this purpose. This tower is the only building left in the city that is directly connected to his life.
The observatory used to be open to everyone during the warmer months. People could go inside and enjoy the views. However, during World War II, the military took over the tower. After the war, it was used to hold police radio equipment.
For a while, the city didn't take very good care of the tower, and it started to fall apart. But thankfully, it has been fixed up! Now, an iron fence surrounds it, and it's usually not open to the public.
